HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
THE TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE
INTERIM OF 2010
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES |
Rep. John M. Mizuno, Chair |
Rep. Tom Brower, Vice Chair |
Rep. Della Au Belatti |
Rep. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro |
Rep. Joe Bertram, III |
Rep. Ryan I. Yamane |
Rep. Mele Carroll |
Rep. Gene Ward |
Rep. Scott Y. Nishimoto |
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COMMITTEE ON HOUSING |
Rep. Rida Cabanilla, Chair |
Rep. Pono Chong, Vice Chair |
Rep. Jerry L. Chang |
Rep. Sylvia Luke |
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Rep. Denny Coffman |
Rep. Hermina M. Morita |
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Rep. Sharon E. Har |
Rep. Roland D. Sagum, III |
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Rep. Robert N. Herkes |
Rep. Corinne W.L. Ching |
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Rep. Ken Ito |
Rep. Cynthia Thielen |
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Rep. Chris Lee |
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NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING
DATE: |
Thursday, July 15, 2010 |
TIME: |
10:00 a.m. |
PLACE: |
Conference Room 325 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street |
A G E N D A
The purpose of this joint informational briefing is to address the "chronically homeless" segment of the homeless population and discuss the "Housing First Pilot Program" which was passed by the Legislature and became law as Act 212 to address the chronic homeless. Chronically homeless may include those who suffer from a mental illness and/or drug addiction, thus making acceptance to transitional or emergency housing difficult.
I. The briefing will seek to explore plausible service providers for the Housing First Program. The information from the briefing may provide the foundation for the implementation of Act 212.
For the general homeless population, the major reason for their predicament is poverty. In Hawaii the number of homeless may exceed 5,000 on any given day.
The issue of homeless arrivals to Hawaii also adds to Hawaii's homeless and now represents approximately 30% of the state's homeless population. The influx of mainland and non-citizen homeless has caused a substantial strain to the current services for Isle homeless.
II. New York has a program which affords their homeless the ability to secure transportation back to their home state or country via airfare, bus, or train. Their homeless return home program has a budget of $500,000 and has already sent more than 550 families back to 25 states across the U.S. and 5 continents.
III. The briefing will review the effect of evicting the homeless from one park, while such homeless may then move to another park. The discussion will consider an option of designating certain "safe zones" for the homeless.
IV. The briefing will review barriers to housing for Hawaii's homeless and seek to identify the major reasons for homelessness in Hawaii. Finally, the briefing will summarize the foregoing concerns and identify viable solutions to effectively reduce homelessness in Hawaii.
The following organizations have been invited to participate in this briefing:
United State Department of Housing and Urban Development
State Department of Human Services
Hawaii Public Housing Authority
The Institute for Human Services
Waikiki Health Center
University of Hawaii's Center on the Family
Hina Mauka
Hawaii Association of Realtors
River of Life
Help the Hawaii Homeless
People of the Promise Church - Pastor Noble
State and County rental housing and low-income housing programs
Agencies and faith based organizations which receive state funding to address homelessness and other related human services or housing providers of emergency and transitional housing.
If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the informational briefing (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 to make a request for arrangements at least 24 hours prior to the briefing. Prompt requests help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.
For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6050.
___________________________________ Rep. John M. Mizuno Chair |
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__________________________________ Rep. Rida Cabanilla Chair |
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APPROVED |
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__________________________________ Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say Speaker of the House |